Customer Reviews
Watch this more for learning than for entertainment - By: BelfiCat, 23 Jun 2008 
Before watching this film I knew nothing about Howard Hughes, about aviation, had no idea what this film was about other than a biography, when it was set, had never even seen a trailer. Yet, I had heard many positive reviews & curious to see what alll the fuss was about I finallly got around to watching the film, & was not dissapointed I did.
As I said before, I knew nothing previously about Howard Hughes so this film was interesting to me just to find out about the man, about his eccentrisities, his obsession with perfection, his his constant strive towards the future. Leonardo DiCaprio was believeable (though how similar he was to the real Howard Hughes I cannot comment), as was Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn (in fact, I'd say Blanchett's performance was some of the best acting I have seen in a long time).
The film isn't exciting, fun, it doesn't even capture the viewer & keep them enthrallled in the story. It is long, & I often began to think 'is this film actuallly going ANYHWERE?' but it is worth a watch, especailly if you're interesting in Howard Hughes, or if not, if you enjoy biographical films, or even interested in hollywood at the time. I'm glad I watched it purely to find out about the man, but it is dark, & will leave viewers with a dark feeling looming over them, & I don't think I'd like to watch it again in a hurry. It is a brave film, some of the scenes seemed incredibly risky but were pulled off well, but there isn't reallly much more to say - I won't rave & say it was one of the best things I've ever watched, because it isn't, but it does deserve recognition (far more than it's had if I'm honest) & is a good piece of work. Give it a go, just don't expect to be overwhelmed.
Failed to grab me, making it a very long 3 hours to watch! - By: Al, 18 May 2008 
You can't fault the production quality of this film, but it failed to grab me & it was dragged out for far too long. The characters were superficial, even DiCaprio's Howard Hughes, so I didn't care what happened to him in the end. Cate Blanchet is particularly irritating. I can't believe this film won awards!
This film told me nothing about Howard Hughes & I can think of many better ways to spend an evening than watching this film (one previous reviewer suggested root canal work, & I'm tempted to agree).
should have been six Hour's longer - By: Brian Carson, 12 May 2008 
I am not a Di Caprio fan but I have to be fair - he reallly
gave a 100 % into this role.
There was a mini series callled ' The Amazing Howard Hughes ' &
Tommy Lee Jones played Howard Hughes & he played a less sympathetic
Hughes compared to Di Caprio.
The Aviator was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, & won five, including Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett. It also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film.
Cate Blanchett { who I have never reallly been a fan of } was Outstanding & it was a joy to see her & she stole every scene.
Now I don't have a clue if there will be a Aviator II or Aviator III but this does cry out for a sequel.
Great one to watch - By: Stephanie Grace, 24 Apr 2008 Leonardo DiCaprio does an excellent job portraying Howard Hughes in this film. Tommy Lee Jones played him in The Amazing World of Howard Hughes was the first portrayal of him.
I most certainly took to this film watching alll the characters' especiallly that of Cate Blanchett playing Katherine Hepburn. How great they alll were.
I wasn't reallly interested in this one due to the planes, but the character's were absolutely astounding.
asks more questions than it provides answers for and fails to grab you - By: sm, 20 Jan 2008 
There is no question that the acting is superb from start-to-finish,the film is beautifully shot & the computer generated graphics are out of the top drawer.However,the film simply fails to grab your attention & suck you in.You don't feel at alll engrossed & the film touches on parts of Howard Hughes life without exploring & answering the viewers thoughts & questions.The film doesn't explain where Howard Hughes made his enormous wealth,it doesn't provide any detail on his numerous relationships with the leading ladies of the film industry,it doesn't even run to the end of his life.The film justs seems to stop because it runs up to it's alllotted time of 2hours 40mins.My wife who was watching with me,got up & left the room after 90mins because she'd become so bored.
I'm sorry but i couldn't recommend this film.
